Well packer



J. W. MALY WELL PACKER Jan. 26, 1960 Filed July 30, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet2 FIG. 5.

FIG. 6.

FIG.7

F L m m. 2 3 2 6 B INVENTOR. JOE W. MALY. BY

mfw

ATTORNEY.

WELL PACKER Joe-W. Maly, Oklahoma City, Okla, assignor to HalliburtonOil Well Cementing Company, Duncan, Okla.

Application July 30, 1956, Serial No. 601,002

9 Claims. (Cl. 166-154) This invention relates to packers for use in oiland gas wells or the like to effect a seal with a wall surface therein.More particularly, the invention relates to a packer useful for sealingoff the annular space in a Well below a pipe or conduit on which thepacker is lowered into the well.

The invention provides particular advantages in connection withoperations performed in an uncased or open bore hole, such as when it isdesired to eflect a seal with the wall of the bore hole at or near theupper limit of a zone or formation upon which a treating, testing, orother well operation is to be performed. It is understood, however, thatthe invention may be applied elsewhere.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved wellpacker.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved well packercapable of effecting a superior seal with a wall surface in an oil andgas well or the like.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved well packercapable of effecting a superior fluid-tight seal with the wall of anuncased or open bore hole.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved wellpacker which may be expanded into engagement with a rough or unevensurface to etfect a superior fluid-tight seal therewith, whereupon thepacker is adapted to withstand the effects of high pressures and forcesWithout being displaced from sealing engagement with such surface.

In general, the invention involves the concept of a well packerincluding a flexible packing element which is adapted to inflate orexpand upon cementitious fluid being supplied to an interior spaceprovided therein. Means is provided for permitting a portion of thecementitious fluid to escape from such interior space as the packingelement inflates or expands and to contact a wall surface in the well inwhich the packer is used. The arrangement is such that the cementitiousfluid sets or hardens both within the packing element and exteriorlythereof between the packer and the wall surface in the well. As aresult, the packer becomes cemented in place and in rigid engagementwith the wall surface, effecting a superior seal therewith.

The invention involves the further concept of providing means forcontrolling or directing the cementitious fluid in order to obtain aneflicient utilization thereof in inflating or expanding the packingelement and in setting or hardening to cement the packer in place. Also,means is provided for controlling the cementitious fluid so thatportions thereof setting or hardening in the passageway through whichthe fluid is introduced into the well may be thereafter readily removedto permit subsequent use of the passageway to conduct other fluids intoor out of the portion of the well below the set or expanded packer.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following description of one embodimentthereof when read "ice 2 in connection with the accompanying drawinginwhich similar reference characters designate similar parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of a string of well,equipment positioned within an open or uncased bore hole, the stringincluding a well packer which is constructed in accordance with theinvention and is shown in an unexpanded position such as during andimmediately after the lowering thereof to a desired location in thewell;

Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but showing the packerduringan early stage in the expansion thereof;

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figures 1 and 2, but showing thepacker fully expanded in the well;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line 44of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4, but showing the positionof the packer and its parts during a later stage in the operationthereof;

Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figures 4 and 5, but showing thepositionof the packer and its parts immediately after the finalstage inthe expansion thereof; and

Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figures 4, 5, and 6, but showingthe packer and its parts at an even later stage of operation, occurringafter the full expansion thereof in the well.

Referring to the drawing in detail and first to Figure 1 thereof, theinvention is there illustrated and is hereinafter described, by way ofexample, as being incorporated in a well packer 10 which is shownpositioned in an uncased or open bore hole 12 after having been loweredas part of an equipment string 14 toa desired location therein, such asto a location in the vicinity of the upper limit of a zone or formation16 upon which a treating, testing, or other well operation is to beperformed.

In addition to the packer 10, the string 14 is shown as including ahollow drill pipe 18 which extends upwardly to the surface of the ground(not shown) and as further including a centralizer in the form of a dragspring assembly 20 which is connected between the drill pipe 18 and thepacker 10.

The drag spring assembly 20 may be of conventional design and is shownas including a plurality of outwardly bowed spring members 22 which areangularly spaced about and mounted for limited sliding movement along ashort section of hollow pipe 24. Each of the members 22 is shownconnected at its upper end to anupper collar 23 and at its lower endto-a lower collar 25. The collars 23 and 25 encircle and are slidablealong-the pipe 24 between upper and lower limits, as will appear morefully hereinafter.

The hollow pipe 24 has its upper end shown coupled to the adjacent lowerend. of thehollow drill pipe 18 by means of a releasable connection orsafety joint 26 which may be of conventional design and, accordingly,will not be described in detail. The'safety joint 26 at its lower endprovides a downwardly facing abutment 27 for engaging the upper collar23 to limit relative upward movement of the drag spring; members 22along the pipe 24.

As illustrated, the well packer 10 includes an elongated central memberor mandrel 28 which is hollow and has. its upper end threadedly orotherwise coupled to the adjacent lower end of the hollow pipe 24 bymeans of a coupling or joint member 30. The joint member 30 at its upperend provides an upwardly facing abutment 31 for engaging the lowercollar 25 to limit relative downward movementof the drag spring members,22 along the pipe 24.

The lower end of the hollow mandrel 28 is shown threadedly or otherwisecoupled by means of a joint member 32 to the upper end of a section ofhollow pipe 34, which forms a downward extension of the packer 10.Depending upon the particular well operation involved, the-downwardlyextending pipe 34 may or may not reach to the bottom (not shown) of thebore hole 12. If desired, the pipe 34 may be provided with lateralperforations (not shown) throughout all or a portion of its length. V

In accordance with the invention, the packer is shown as including anelongated packing element in the form of a flexible sleeve 36 having amultiplicity of small openings or pores 38 which extend through the wallthereof and are preferably disposed generally throughout the packingmaterial. The sleeve 36 maybe made of a fabric containing wovenorintermeshed strands or fibers ofa natural or artificial substance,such as awoven cotton, nylon or glass-fabric, or it may be made of othersuitably porous or permeablematerial.

Throughout a major portion of its length the sleeve 36 loosely encirclesthe mandrel 28 to which both the opposite end portions of the packingmaterial are preferably securely fastened, such as by means: of metalclamps or bands 40 and 42. As illustrated, the band 40 encircles theupper end portion of the sleeve 36 and is tightened about an upperraised portion 44 of the mandrel 28. The band 42 is shown encircling thelower end portion of the sleeve 36 and is tightened about a lower raisedportion 46 of the mandrel 28.

A plurality of finger-like support members 48 are shown angularly spacedabout the lower portion of the sleeve 36. The support mmebers 48 arepreferably made of a resilient material, such as spring metal or thelike. The lower end portion of each member 48 is disposed between thelower band 42 and the sleeve 36 and is thus securely clamped to thelower raised portion 46 of the mandrel 28. I

The upstanding portions of the support members 48 ,are normally retainedin an inward or unexpanded position close to the mandrel 28, such as bymeans of a frangible band or tape 50 which is shown encircling themembers 48 intermediate the ends thereof.. .Upon the tape 50 beingparted or broken, the resilient members 48 quickly move or expandradially outward (see Figure 2). When unexpanded, the support members 48together with the tape 50 add lateral support to'the loose packingmaterial and, in particular, to the lower portion thereof. Additionallateral support for the loose packing material may be provided byutilizing one or more additional bands or tapes similar to the tape 50at other. points throughout the length of the sleeve 36. As will appearmore fully hereinafter, the frangible tape 50. is adapted to part orbreak upon sulficient force being applied thereto due to the inflationor expansion of the sleeve 36.

Referring now to Figure 4, the packer 10 is adapted to be inflated orexpanded by supplying a quantity of cementitious fluid 52 to theinterior spacebetween the mandrel 28 and the loose portion of the sleeve36. The fluid 52 is introduced into the well from a source (not shown)atthe surface by pumping or otherwise forcing it downwardly through apassageway 54 which extends generally lengthwise through the entireequipment string 14 (see Figure 1). A suitable separator such as abottom plug 56 is inserted in the passageway 54 ahead of the fluid 52and another separator such as a top plug 58 (see Figure 5, for example)is inserted therein behind the fluid52. The top plug 58 is followed by aquantity of displacing fluid 60 (see Figure 5, for example) which may bewater, oil, drilling mud, or other suitable fluid.

The plugs 56 and 58 may be of similar construction and may be designedas conventional cementing plugs of the type having a solid body portionmade of metal or hard rubber or the like with one or more flexibleannular wipers extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The bottomplug 56 is shown provided with a plurality of wipers 62 which engage thewallsof the passageway 54 so that the cementitious fluid 52 is isolatedfrom any other fluids which are present ahead of the plug 56 as it movesdownwardly into the well. Similar wipers 64 (see Figure 5) are shownprovided on the top plug 58.

Ordinarily, it is desirable for the passageway 54 to be available foruse in conducting or circulating fluids other than the cementitiousfluid 52 into or out of the well after the packer 10 has been set orexpanded. While various arrangements may be employed whereby thepassageway 54 may be subsequently cleared of obstructions, such as byremoving the plugs 56 and 58 and any excess or unused cementitious fluid52 therebetween, one advantage of the present invention arises from theprovision of means whereby such clearance or removal may be readilyaccomplished after the fluid 52 has already set or hardened.

To this end, yieldably mounted container means such as a hollowcylindrical container 66 is provided within the passageway 54 forreceiving first the bottom plug 56 and later the top plug 58 and holdingany excess or unused cementitious fluid 52 therebetweeu out of contactwith the wall of the portion of the passageway 54 in which the container66 is located.

As illustrated, the container 66 is an inner sleeve-like member which isclosely but slidably fitted within the mandrel 28 and is normallysupported therein by one or more frangible pins 68. The pins 68 areshown extending' through the wall of the mandrel 28 and into the wall ofthe lower end portion of the container 66.

One or more lateral openings or ports 70 are provided in the wall of thecontainer 66 intermediate the ends thereof. Each port 70 is aligned witha lateral opening or passageway 72 which extends through the wall of themandrel 28 and admits the fluid 52 into the sleeve 36, as will appearmore fully hereinafter.

An upwardly facing surface or seat 74 for the bottom plug 56 is providedwithin the container 66 a suitable distance below the ports 70. Asillustrated, the plug seat 74 is a tapered surface on the upper end ofan annular abutmeat 76 which is provided on the inner surface of thewall of the container 66 near the lower end thereof.

A tapered surface on the upper end of the bottom plug 56 provides a seat78 for the top plug 58 which comes to rest thereon (see Figure 6) aftersubstantially all of the cementitious fiuid 52 has been admitted to thespace between the mandrel 28 and the sleeve 36, as will appear morefully hereinafter.

Sealing means such as O-rings 80 are preferably provided between thewalls of the container 66 and the mandrel 28 above and below the alignedports 70 and passageways 72. Additional sealing means such as O-ring 82may be provided between the wall of the mandrel 28 and the upper endportion of the wall of the container 66. The O-rings 80-and 82 preventthe cementitious fluid 52 from entering and setting or hardening in thespace between the container 66 andmandrel 28.

One-way valve means is preferably provided for controlling the flow ofthe cementitious fluid 52 through the passageways 72. ,As illustrated,such valve means includes a flexible sealing ring 84 mounted in anannular recess 86 which is provided on an intermediate raised portion 88of the mandrel 28 and communicates with each of the passageways 72 atthe respective outer ends thereof. The ring 84 may be made of rubber orthe like and is mounted so that it functions as a one-way check valve.The check valve opens upon the force applied to the inner surface of thering 84 by the pressure of the fluid 52 in the passageway 72 becomingsuflicient to move the ring 84 outwardly in the recess 86, whereupon thefluid 52 is permitted to enter and fill the space between the mandrel 28and the sleeve 36. Upon the fluid pressure in the passageways 72 beingsubsequently relieved, the ring 84 returns to its inward position withinthe recess 86 (see Figure 6) and the check valve is closed, preventingreturn flow of the fluid 52 into the hollow mandrel 28.

The intermediate raised portion 88 of the mandrel 28 is preferablydisposed thereon opposite the lower loose portion of the sleeve 36 sothat the passageways 72 admit the fluid 52 into such lower looseportion. Also, deflecting means is preferably provided within the sleeve36 for controlling the fluid 52 so as to direct it downwardly therein.

In the arrangement shown, an annular flange 90 is provided on theintermediate raised portion 88 above the annular recess 86 thereon andthe flange 90 is provided with a downwardly extending lip 92 whichoverlaps and is preferably disposed closely adjacent the upper end ofthe ring 84 so as to prevent substantial outward movement thereof in therecess 86. As a result, the cementitious fluid 52 is caused to enter thesleeve 36 by flowing past the lower end of the ring 84, which assumes asuitable shape to function as a deflector which directs the fluid 52 ina generally downward direction within the sleeve 36.

A portion of the cementitious fluid 52 supplied, as aforesaid, to theinterior of the sleeve 36 is permitted to escape therefrom through thepores 38 of the packing material. Also, escape or by-pass means isprovided near the top of the packer 10 for permitting another portion ofthe fluid 52 to pass from the interior of the sleeve 36 into the annularspace between the wall of the bore hole 12 and the upper end portion ofthe packer 10.

In the arrangement shown, such escape or by-pass means includes aninterior passageway 94 which is pro-' vided in the upper raised portion44 of the mandrel 28. The passageway 94 extends upwardly from the lowersurface of the raised portion 44 and has a lateral branch terminating atan annular recess 96 which is provided on the portion 44 above the upperend of the sleeve 36.

One-way valve means is preferably provided for controlling the flow offluid through the passageway 94. As illustrated, such valve meansincludes a flexible sealing ring 98 which is mounted in the annularrecess 96 and may be similar to the ring 84 mounted, as aforesaid, onthe intermediate raised portion 88 of the mandrel 28. The ring 98functions as a one-way check valve which opens upon the force applied tothe inner surface thereof by the pressure of fluid 52 in the passageway94 becoming sufficient to move the ring 98 outwardly in the recess 96,whereupon the fluid 52 is permitted to escape and contact the wallsurface of the bore hole 12 (see Figures 3 and 5). Upon the fluidpressure being relieved, the ring 98 returns to its inward positionwithin the recess 96 (see Figure 6) and the check valve is then closed.Also, the check valve is in its closed position during the lowering ofthe packer 10 into the well (see Figure 4) and thereafter until thesleeve 36 begins to overflow.

Deflecting means is preferably provided exteriorly of the sleeve 36 forcontrolling the overflowing fluid 52 so as to direct it in a generallydownward direction. In the arrangement shown, an annular flange 100 isprovided on the upper raised portion 44 of the mandrel 28 above theannular recess 96 thereon and the flange 100 is provided with adownwardly extending lip 102 which overlaps and is preferably disposedclosely adjacent the upper end of the ring 98 so as to preventsubstantial outward movement thereof in the recess 96. As a result, thecementitious fluid 52 overflowing from the sleeve 36 through thepassageway 94 is caused to flow past the lower end of the ring 98, whichassumes a suitable shape to function as a deflector which directs theoverflowing fluid 52 downwardly onto the exterior surface of the sleeve36 and into contact with the wall of the bore hole 12 (see Figure 5).

In carrying out a well operation using the arrangement illustrated inthe drawing, the equipment string 14 is lowered into the bore hole 12with the parts of the packer 10 occupying the respective positions shownin Figure 1. That is, the packing sleeve 36 is unexpanded and the support members 48 are retained by the tape 50 in their inward positionsclose to the mandrel '28. Support is thus provided for the loose portionof the sleeve 36 during the lowering thereof, reducing the likelihood ofthe packing material becoming caught or damaged by protruding surfacesor objects in the well. The outwardly bowed spring members 22, byengaging the walls of the bore hole 12. during the lowering of thestring 14, tend to maintain the packer 10 in more or'less centrallyspaced relation therein and thereby further reduce the likelihood of theloose packing material becoming caught or damaged.

The string 14 is lowered sufliciently to position'the packer 10 at ornear the upper limit of the zone or formation 16, as shownin Figure 1,this being assumed to be the desired location at which a seal is to beeffected with the wall surface of the bore hole 12. Then the bottom plug56 is inserted into the upper end of the hollow drill pipe 18 and ismoved downwardly therein by pumping the cementitious fluid 52 into theupper portion of the passageway 54 behind it.

Upon'the desired quantity of cementitious fluid 52 being introduced, thetop plug 58 is then inserted into the upper end of the drill pipe 18 andthe plugs 56 and 58 together with .the interposed fluid 52 are moveddownwardly by pumping the displacing fluid 60 into the upper portion ofthe passageway 54 behind the top plug 58.

As the bottom plug 56 moves downwardly, it displaces ahead of itanyfluids such as well fluids or drilling mud which are present in thepassageway 54, these fluids being permitted to escape through the lowerend of the pipe 34, or other openings therein, and .thus being permittedto flow upwardly around the string 14 to the mouth of the bore hole 12and into a nearby slush pit or other suitable receptacle (not shown).

Upon the'plug '56 reaching the container 66, it is received therein andcomes to rest on the plug seat 74, as shown in Figure 4, effecting aseal which closes the passageway 54 at a point below the aligned ports70 and passageways 72 into which the cementitious fluid 52 is permittedto enter. Thereafter, as the pumping of the displacing fluid 6i)continues, the pressure of the fluid 52 in the passageways 72 applies aforce to move the ring 84 to its open position, as shown in Figure 4,whereupon the fluid 52 is admitted into the sleeve 36. As hereinbeforedescribed, the ring 84 assumes a suitable position to deflect or directthe fluid 52 downwardly within the sleeve 36, filling it from the bottomupwardly.

As the sleeve 36 begins to fill, the inflation or outward expansion ofthe lower loose position thereof applies a force which overcomes orbreaks the tape 50, thereby permitting the support members 48 to springoutwardly into engagement with the Wall of the bore hole 12, as shownbest in Figure 2. When thus expanded, the support members 48 tend toprevent undesirable sagging and downward extrusionof the loose portionof the sleeve 36 as the cementitious fluid 52 fills the interior thereofand thereafter continue to provide such support as the fluid 52 sets orhardens.

There are several reasons why it is desirable for the sleeve 36 to befilled from the bottom upwardly. Under I actual field conditions, thefluid 52 will ordinarily enter the sleeve 36 under considerable pressureand there will be a tendency for the entering stream to exertconsiderable force against the portion of the sleeve surface it firststrikes. Also, there will be a tendency for the fluid 52 to be sprayedas fine particles moving under considerable force toward the sleevepores 38, and after deflection, perhaps toward the escape passageway 94near theupper end of the sleeve 36.

It has been found that where the fluid 52 is caused to 1 enter the lowerportion of the sleeve 36 and is directed or deflected downwardlytherein, as in the illustrated arrangement, the first entering portionof the fluid 52 tends to "bafile the stream thereof continuing toenter'the 7 sleeve 36 as it fills. This bafflng action reduces thelikelihood of the force of the fluid stream applied at a given locationon the sleeve surface becoming suflicient to rupture or tear the sleevematetrial. Also, the likelihood of undue spraying of the fluid 52 isreduced, particularly since the fluid level in the sleeve 36 risesrelatively quickly to a point above the lower end of the ring 84 pastwhich the entering stream is flowing. Thus, there is less likelihood ofthe entering stream of fluid 52 being conducted in undue amounts as afine spray through certain of the sleeve pores 38, or through the escapepassageway 94, such as might allow an excess amount of the fluid 52 toescape from the sleeve 36 prior to the full inflation or expansionthereof. a t

It is further believed that the feature of filling the sleeve 36 fromthe bottom upwardly facilitates the displacement from the sleeve 36 ofany fluid, such as drilling mud or fluid from the well formations, whichmay have entered through the sleeve pores 38 during the lowering of theequipment string 14 into the well. Thus, there is less likelihood of thecementitious fluid 52 becoming contaminated by fluids containingsubstances which might interfere with its setting or hardeningcharacteristics and, also, there is less likelihood of pockets of otheror noncementitious fluids forming or remaining in the sleeve 36 duringthe inflation or expansion thereof.

During the inflation or expansion of the sleeve 36, a portion of thecementitious fluid 52 enters the pores 38 and thus is permitted toescape to the exterior surface of the packing material and contact thewall of'the bore hole 12. It should be noted that while the pumppressure required to be applied to the displacing fluid60 to causeinflation or expansion of the sleeve 36 may not itself be large, thepressure existing within the sleeve 36 will ordinarily be much largerdue to the weight of the fluid column in the passageway 54. Thispressure within the sleeve 36 tends to squeeze the cementitious fluid 52through the pores 38 and into the pores or other openings of theadjacent well strata." I

The quantity of cementitious fluid 52. introduced into the well shouldbe selected so that thereis more than enough to completely fill thesleeve 36. Thus, the passageway 54 is shown in Figure as stillcontaining some fluid 52 after the sleeve 36has been substantially fullyinflated or expanded in the well. Upon the sleeve 36 being thussubstantially filled, a portion of the fluid 52 enters the escapepassageway .94 near the'top of the packer 10 and the pressure thereofapplies a force moving the ring 98 to its'open position, as shown inFigure 5, permitting a portion of the fluid 52 to overflow into theannular space about the upper end of the sleeve 36. As hereinbeforedescribed, the ring 98 assumes a suitable position to deflect or directthe overflowing fluid 52 in a generally downward direction. Theoverflowing fluid 52 is shown contacting both the exterior surface ofthe upper end portion of the sleeve 36 and the wall surface of the borehole 12 adjacent and above theportion of the sleeve 36 which is incontact therewith. v

It will be noted that the continued application of pump pressurerequired to cause a portion of the cementitious fluid 52 to overflowthrough the passageway 94, as aforesaid, tends to move the sleeve 36into tighter engagement with the wall surface of the bore hole 62 andalso tends to'cause squeezing of fluid 52 through the pores 38 and intothe accessible openings and pore spaces of the well strata. i

As the overflowing of fluid 52 through the passageway 94 continues, thetop plug 58 approaches the container 66, as shown in Figure 5, and thenis received therein, coming to rest on the seat 78 provided therefor onthe upper end of the bottom plug 56, as shown inFigure 6.

The occasion of the top plug 58 engaging its seat 78 will be accompaniedby a sudden rise in pressure which will ordinarily be noticeableimmediately by the pump operator at the surface, whereupon the pumpingis discontinned for a period of time while the cementitious fluid 52 isallowed to set or harden.

In this connection, the fluid 52 is preferably selected from thosecementitious fluids which have a controllable and relatively shortsetting or hardening time. Also, it is preferred that the fluid 52include a cementitious fluid phase, such as a plastic or resinous fluid,which is adapted to set or harden after passing through the pores 38 inthe wall of the sleeve 36 and entering the pore spaces or other openingsof the well strata. In addition to its cementitious fluid phase, thefluid 52 may include a cementitious filler or solid phase which does notpass through the sleeve pores 38 in appreciable amounts but a portion ofwhich nonetheless sets or hardens in contact with the well strata afteroverflowing through the passageway 94.

As particular examples, cementitious fluids of the type described in US.Patents No. 2,191,652 and No. 2,210,545, which were granted to Andrew C.Hamilton, In, are suited for use with the present invention. It isunderstood, however, that other cementitious fluids may also be used andthe invention is not to be considered as limited to any specific ones ofthose which may be used.

As shown best in Figure 6, the container 66 is preferably of sufflcientlength to encircle the full length of both of the plugs 56 and 58 whenseated therein. As hereinbefore indicated, the bottorn plug 56 whenseated closes olf the portion of the passageway 54 therebelow. Also, thewipers 62'and 64 provided, respectively, on the plugs 56 and 58 engagethe Wall of the container 66 and, due to the weight of the displacingfluid 60 thereabove, are forced tightly thereagainst' Accordingly, anycementitious fluid 52 present in the container 66 in the spaces aroundthe plugs 56 and 58 and between the wipers thereon, or in the alignedports and passageways 72, is retained in such spaces where it sets orhardens while the other portions of the fluid 52 are setting orhardening within the sleeve 36 and, exteriorly of the packer 10, incontact with the wall surface of the bore hole 12. and in the pores orother openings in the well strata.

It will be noted that, in the arrangement shown, the top plug 58 whenseated has the lower of its wipers 64 disposed in the container 66opposite the lateral portv 70, thus'elfecting a seal which closes theinner end of what is in effect the inlet passageway leading to theinterior of the sleeve 36. This is desirable in that a double seal isthus provided for closing such inlet passageway. The inner seal providedby the plug 58 will ordinarily be effective to prevent return flow offluid 52 through such inlet passageway in the event that the outer sealprovided by the sealing ring 84 is not effective for some reason, suchas where for some reason the ring 84 fails to return to its closedposition at the desired time or otherwise fails to effect a seal at theouter end of such passageway upon the fluid pressure being relieved whenthe plug 58 becomes seated.

Since the container'66 is yieldably supported in place in the hollowmandrel 28 by the frangible pins 68, it may be removed therefrom at anytime after the plugs 56 and 53 are-seated by applying suflicient pumppressure to fluid contained in the portion of the passageway 54thereabove. The pins 68 should be selected so that they are not overcomeby the forces applied thereto during the pumping which occurs as thecementitious fluid 52 is admitted into the sleeve 36 or otherwise priorto the fluid 52 setting or hardening in the well;

In some instances it may be desirable for the container 66 to remain inplace, keeping the lower portion of the passageway 54 closed ofl, for aconsiderable length of time or even permanently after the fluid 52 hasset or hardened, such as where the packer It? is to be used as abridging plug. In such event, the string 14 may, if desired, beseparated by releasing the safety joint 26 after the fluid 52 is set orhardened, whereupon the drill pipe 18 may be withdrawn from the well.

Where it is desirable for the full length of the passageway 54 to bemade available for conducting or circulating fluid into or out of thewell after the cementitious fluid 52 has set or hardened, this may bereadily accomplished without the necessity of performing a drilling orother time-consuming operation to remove the plugs 56 and 58 and theportion of the fluid 52 which has set or hardened within the container66. Thus, by applying sufiicient pump pressure to the displacing fluid60 to cause the pins 68 to be broken or sheared, the container 66together with the plugs 56 and 58 and the interposed set or hardenedfluid 52 may be pumped downwardly through the passageway 54 and out ofthe lower end of the pipe 34, leaving the passageway 54 free ofobstruction, as shown in Figure 7. Thereafter, a treating, testing, orother well operation may be carried out using well known procedures.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been described herein,various modifications thereof within the spirit of the invention willnow suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, theinvention is best defined by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A well packer comprising an elongated hollow mandrel having a lateralpassageway in the wall thereof, a flexible porous fabric sleeve looselyencircling said mandrel and secured thereto at points above and belowsaid lateral passageway, an elongated hollow container mounted in saidhollow mandrel for sliding downward movement therein, yieldable meansfor normally supporting said container in an upward position in saidmandrel, said container having a lateral port therein normally alignedwith the lateral passageway in said mandrel and having an upwardlyfacing seating surface therein disposed a suitable distance below saidport, whereby cementitious fluid may be supplied to inflate or expandsaid sleeve by pumping said fluid downwardly through said hollow mandrelbehind a lower plug adapted to enter said container and engage theseating surface therein to eflect a seal below said aligned port andpassageway and ahead of a top plug adapted to also enter said container,the arrangement being such that said container and the plugs and anyexcess cementitious fluid therein between said plugs may be subsequentlyremoved by pumping additional fluid downwardly through said hollowmandrel under pressure sufficient to overcome said yieldable means andmove said container downwardly through said mandrel.

2. A well packer as claimed in claim 1 including oneway valve means forcontrolling fluid flow through the lateral passageway in said mandrel,said valve means including means for directing the fluid supplied tosaid sleeve in a generally downward direction therein.

3. A well packer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mandrel near theupper end thereof has a raised portion to which said sleeve is securedand through which extends an interior fluid escape passageway forpermitting a portion of the cementitious fluid supplied to inflate orexpand said sleeve to escape to the exterior of said packer above saidsleeve, said packer including one-way valve means for controlling fluidflow through said escape passageway, said valve means including meansfor directing said escaping fluid in a generally downward direction.

4. A well packer comprising an elongated hollow central member forming apassageway for cementitious fluid supplied thereto, a flexible packingelement mounted on said central member and forming therewith asubstantially enclosed interior space, an elongated hollow containermounted within said central member for downward movement along saidpassageway, yieldable means for normally supporting said container in anupward position within said central member, means including lateralopenings formed in said central member and container for admittingcementitious fluid from said passageway into said interior space toinflate or expand said packing element when said container is in itsupward position within said central member, fluid escape means includinga multiplicity of small openings in said packing element for permittinga portion of the cementitious fluid supplied to said interior space toescape to the space outside the packer, and means responsive to thepressure fluid in said passageway for overcoming said yieldable meansand moving said container downwardly therealong and out of said centralmember, said yieldable means being selected so as to be overcome aftersaid packing element has been at least partially inflated or expanded.

5. A well packer as defined in claim 4 wherein said fluid escape meansincludes an interior passageway in the wall of said central membercommunicating at one end with the space between said member and saidpacking element and at its other end with the space outside and abovesaid packing element.

6. A well packer as defined in claim 4 wherein said fluid escape meansincludes an escape passageway having its outlet end disposed on saidcentral member above said packing element and including fluid flowdirecting means above said packing element for deflecting thecementitious fluid passing through the outlet end of said escapepassageway in a generally downward direction.

7. A well packer as claimed in claim 4 including fluid flow directingmeans between said central member and said packing element fordeflecting the cementitious fluid supplied to said interior space in agenerally downward direction.

8. A well packer adapted to be lowered into an oil or gas well or thelike and then inflated or expanded and cemented in place against a wallsurface therein comprising an elongated hollow mandrel having a lateralopening in the lower portion thereof, a flexible packing element mountedon said mandrel and forming therewith a substantially enclosed interiorspace disposed opposite and extending upwardly from the lateral openingin said mandrel, a removable hollow container within said mandrel, meansincluding a lateral opening in said container for admitting a slurryhaving a cementitious fluid phase into the lateral opening in saidmandrel and thence into said interior space to fill the same and therebyinflate or expand said packing element into contact with a surroundingwall surface in said well, and means including a. multiplicity of smallopenings in said packing element for permitting-a portion of thecementitious fluid phase of said slurry to escape from said interiorspace onto the exterior surface of said element during the inflation orexpansion thereof.

9. A well packer as claimed in claim 8 including means for directing theslurry admitted to said interior space in a generally downward directiontherein, whereby said interior space is filled from the bottom upwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,842,107 Lytle Jan. 19, 1932 2,029,380 Manning Feb. 4, 1936 2,155,609McClendon et al. Apr. 25, 1939 2,602,511 Johnson July 8, 1952 2,611,436Carr et al Sept. 23, 1952 2,618,344 Turecheck et al Nov. 18, 19522,633,916 Baker Apr. 7, 1953

